The Leopards broke down a 17-12 half-time deficit to beat Namibia 36-27 in the opening match of the tournament.

The victors delivered a strong second-half performance to claim a six-point win.

Scrumhalf WJ Herbst (brother of Sharks prop Whiehan Herbst), No 8 Iniel Schoenfeld and outside centre Franswa Uekermann scored tries, while flyhalf MC Venter impressed with the boot by adding three conversions and a penalty after the break. Venter also added four penalties in the first half.

Namibia scored tries through fullback Ethan Beukes and wing Leon Ferris in the final quarter, but it only proved to be consolation.

The scoreline flattered last year’s losing unofficial finalists, who scored two second-half tries. Border created more try-scoring opportunities as they ran brilliant lines via their dangerous backs, but poor interplay saw them fall short of the chalk.

It was a closely contested first half, as Border trailed the Lions by two points. Border scored via wing Lilitha Jonas and the boot of scrumhalf Akhona Sihunu. The Lions held a slender lead, thanks to the boot of flyhalf Jako van der Walt and prop Frans van Wyk’s try.

The Lions’ completed the win as skipper Chris Massyn and Van der Walt dotted down after the break.

Wing Sergeal Petersen grabbed a brace and skipper Aidon Davis also dotted down to give EP a strong first half performance. Flyhalf Ernst Stapelberg also added all the extras and a penalty for a 24-10 lead at the break.

The host team then completed their comprehensive win as wing Selvyn Davids and prop Matthew Moore crossed the whitewash.